Teach
Turn Around

Cool
Tricks to Teach Your Dog

Almost
five month old
Bonnie learns the trick, "Turn Around"

Movie duration:
50 seconds

Tricks
are fun, and like games, keep a dog alert and energetic. They give
a dog a chance to play and think. Tricks help a dog 'learn how
to learn'. If a puppy can learn a trick, then he or she can learn
obedience and good behavior.

The
first trick I taught Bonnie was to turn around. It's easy and it's
fun. I started by having Bonnie standing and facing me. I let her
see a treat in my hand. While I stood still, I said, "Turn
around."
I lead Bonnie's nose around to the left (clockwise) with the treat
so she walked in a circle. When she came around and back to me, I said, "Good
girl!" and gave her the treat.

Is
there a practical reason to teach 'Turn Around'? I'm taking a puppy
class and the instructor told us that she knew of someone whose dog
enjoyed jumping on house guests. She would tell the dog to turn around
whenever someone came over. Because the dog was busy twirling, he wasn't
jumping on the visitors.

TIP:
After some practice, hold the treat in front of you so your dog
can see it and say, "Turn around," but don't
lead his nose. See if he is ready to turn around by himself
and get the treat. Pretty soon, he will turn around faster
than you can say 'Lassie!"

If
you choose to use the words, "Turn Left", use
them all the time. Don't use "Turn
around" sometimes, and "Turn Left" other
times. Be consistent.